expressionengine - Importing PHP string with quotes -

so i'm importing expressionengine fields php array. want display 1 field, called {gearboxx_body}, unless field has more 300 characters, in case want display field called {article_blurb}. i'm pretty sure there isn't way in expressionengine fields , conditionals, tried php, i'm starting learn:

<?php     $info = array('{gearboxx_body}','{article_blurb}');    if(mb_strlen($info[0]) <= 300)      echo($info[0]);   }    else {    echo($info[1]);   }  ?> 

so works well, there's problem. if tag includes apostrophes or quote marks, ends string , page won't load. can this? i've tried replace quote marks in string, have have loaded string fields first, , page broken.

hopefully made sense. suggestions?

i recommend handle in ee plugin rather in template:

• faster render (because don't need overhead of php in templates)
• more secure , reliable
• faster develop once basics of ee development down ^{which useful life skill}
• all around best-practice

the plugin have in mind takes 3 parameters:

body, blurb , character limit.

let's call plugin "blurby". in template have this:

{exp:blurby body="{gearboxx_body}" blurb="{article_blurb}" char_limit="300"} 

it variably returns either of fields based on logic define in plugin itself.

see plugin developer documentation.

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alternatively use dreaded heredoc syntax set variables before passing them array:

$body = <<<eot {gearboxx_body} eot;  $blurb = <<<eot {article_blurb} eot;